Page:The Early Kings of Norway.djvu/176

 166 EAELY KINGS OF NORWAY. and favours awaited him from old friends, and especially, if I mistake not, the hand of that adorable Princess, crown of all his wishes for the time being. Before long, however, he decided farther to look after his Norway Eoyal heritages ; and, for that purpose, sailed in force to the Jarl or quasi-King of Denmark, the often-beaten Svein, who was now in Sweden on his usual winter exile after beating. Svein and he had evidently interests in common. Svein was charmed to see him, — -so warlike, glorious and re- nowned a man, with masses of money about him, too. Svein did by and by become treacherous ; and even attempted, one night, to assassinate Harald in his bed on board ship : but Harald, vigilant of Svein, and a man of quick and sure insight, had providently gone to sleep elsewhere, leaving a log instead of himself among the blankets. In which log, next morning, treacherous Svein's battle-axe was found deeply stick- ing ; and could not be removed without difficulty I But this was after Harald and King Magnus himself had begun treating; with the fairest prospects, — which this of the Svein battle-axe naturally tended to forward, as it altogether ended the other co-partnery.